Vertical Victories

Sunset viewed from a tent in front of the sea on the Pembrokeshire coast path

Adventures await, at your pace

Tor and female client laughing together during a climbing session in an indoor climbing wall

Where the smallest of Vertical steps, make the biggest Victories.

Rock climbing sessions that are perfect for beginners and nervous adventurers.

Both indoors and outdoors, with small group sizes, female friendly sessions, personalised sessions for individuals with diverse physical & learning needs, and bespoke 1:1 sessions.

My approach is to be patient, fostering trust by going at your pace. Celebrating the small victories, and in those small vertical steps we allow self confidence and trust to blossom.

I deliver beginner and advanced skill courses in indoor climbing walls, and outdoors in beautiful Wales.

My aim is to promote the true powers of this sport in enhancing mental and physical health.

Female climber high fisting the air during an outdoor climbing session, smiling and looking at the camera
  • 2 female clients enjoying a session
  • tor and client at the climbing wall
  • two girls lead climbing in an indoor climbing wall
  • Tor and female client enjoying a day climbing outdoors

Tailored to promote inclusion and diversity in the outdoors. Especially to those who;

  • would never usually consider the sport,
  • don’t think themselves capable,
  • who do not have access to the sport,
  • or have already been put off the sport by being made to do things by peers that have pushed them beyond their personal boundaries and created a fear and mistrust of the sport. 
  • to adults with diverse needs, for all ages (18+), all ethnicities, all genders, all sizes. Access for all.
Tor reassuring a client beginning to abseil down the rock face

I take pride in teaching the safest and most up to date climbing practices. I practice active listening to ensure you feel seen and heard.

I offer a learn to lead course for those ready to take their climbing to the next level, this course then opens up the opportunity to go onto the outdoor based courses such as Seconding Stars.

Don’t let worries hold you back.

Embrace the unknown and discover the strength within you. 

Join me for a bespoke climbing experience. Let’s climb towards empowerment and well-being together. 

Female climber on slab rock at porthclais, sun shining and sea is glistening

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A place that will sing in your heart…

A national park; famous for its stunning coastline, an uninterrupted 186 mile coastpath and puffins.

Where do you find world-class sea cliff climbing and serene landscapes?

Answer: Pembrokeshire

FAQs

What if I don’t have the right outdoor clothing or shoes for these activities?

Get in touch! With my passion to provide access for all, I strive to break down any potential barriers to the outdoors that might be holding people back. Don’t want to get your nice tops dirty and can’t afford to buy anything new at the moment? No problem! I may be able to provide clothing and shoes that you may need, so please get in touch and let me know your size so I can source them in plenty of time before the start of your session.

I’m terrified of heights! Maybe climbing is not for me?

You are exactly the person I want to introduce to climbing! I’m different to most other instructors – this is not about climbing and getting to the top, this is about making mighty personal gains in small steps.

I don’t mind if you don’t get any further than 3 feet off the ground – today, you made progress by showing up and trying. It’s hard to see now, but it’s a victory, and you got out into fresh air in a beautiful environment, enjoying getting into nature and trying your best. There’s always tomorrow to try and ascend one more foot.

Little by little, together in time, we will conquer heights, both physically and mentally.

What qualifications, insurances and policies does Vertical Victories have to ensure my safety?

I am a qualified Rock Climbing Instructor, Climbing Wall Development Instructor and a Mountain Leader Trainee, a member of the Mountain Training Association, the British Mountaineering Council and accredited by Mountain Training. I am also a certified Wilderness First Responder and attend regular BMC Mental Health Awareness workshops. It is important for me to take part in Continued Professional Development. Vertical Victories has Personal Liability Insurance and is fully insured to deliver all of the above courses and services. All activities have risk assessments in place which are regularly updated and developed. I have a strict ‘near-miss’ recording policy in place to ensure constant reflection and improvement.

Do you run sessions for Under 18’s?

I regularly work with under 18’s at my local climbing wall under their directive, and hold full DBS disclosures with them. However as an independent business, if I were to do a session with a person under the age of 18 then they would always need to be accompanied by a parent, as I do not hold the required AALA license needed to take children unsupervised. Parents can be involved in the climbing and skills if they like, or just accompany the child to the crag or wall.

I do not offer the Skills courses to under 18’s.

What is your cancellation policy?

If you want to cancel your booking you must inform Vertical Victories in writing as soon as possible. Your notice of cancellation will take effect when it is received. If cancelled 10 days, or more, before the course then a gift card of the same value will be offered. As we incur costs from the time of your confirmed booking, your payment will go towards our cancellation fees and no refund will be offered if cancelled within 10 days of the session start date.

What if the weather is bad?

The weather will not affect the indoor courses, however high winds, rains and storms will likely affect the running of the outdoor sessions. I will be in touch as soon as possible if the weather is not suitable for the session to go ahead. I may need to alter our planned location or reschedule your experience, often we can have the option of spending some of the day indoors doing some skills or coaching instead.

I regret that I do not offer refunds due to circumstances beyond my control, but instead I can offer a gift card to the value of your booking.

If for any reason the weather does take a turn for the worse during your experience, I must safely guide you back to a safe place/meeting point. 

How do I book?

Please get in touch with me via the enquiries form on the Contact page. You can also join the WhatsApp community where there are regular updates on upcoming events that can be booked on to.

Let me know in the Message section what dates will work for you. This does not guarantee a booked space quite yet.

Once I have received your request, I will check my availability and also take into consideration whether the indoor or outdoor environments will be suitable for those requested dates.

I will then liaise with you via email or Whatsapp to work out a date that works for all of us.